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Why Robotics?
With more and more
schools adopting VEX
Robotics as a platform
to enrich and enhance
science, technology,
engineering, and
mathematics (STEM)
courses, there is a need
for an integrated program
which allows teachers to
seamlessly add VEX into
their classrooms. As
such we have worked
with various partners
to create an array
of VEX curriculum
offerings, each tailored
to the specific needs
of teachers wishing
incorporate VEX
into their classes.
Each offering was
developed by forward
thinking organizations
who are experienced at
creating tools to keep
STEM education exciting
and inspiring.
You have a choice when
it comes to professionally
developed classroom

Page 2 VEX Robotics

curriculum for use with the

VEX EDR robots. Below
are five custom tailored
VEX Robotics curriculum
offerings each with unique
goals and methods of
implementation.
This curriculum leverages
the coolness of robotics,
and the excitement of head
to head competition to
inspire and engage students.

Students will walk through

the design and build a
mobile robot to play a
sport-like game. During
this process they will learn
key STEM principles, and
robotics concepts. At the
culmination of this class,
they will compete head-tohead against their peers in

the classroom, or on the

world stage in the VEX
Robotics Competition, the
largest and fastest growing
international robotics
competition for middle and
high school students.
This modular and projectbased curriculum teaches
the design process in an
engaging, hands-on manner
to help teachers challenge,
motivate, and inspire their
students. By moving
students through an
actual engineering
project, students
quickly understand
the relevance of what
they are learning.
The curriculum is
created to ensure
that students with
varying learning
styles and levels can
accomplish the lesson goals.
No prior robotics experience
is required; beginners are
able to advance sequentially
through the units to
gradually increase their
knowledge and skill level.

Robotics @ a Glance
1

Monday
Intro

Tuesday

Wednesday

Universal Joint

Leadscrew

Worm and Wheel

11

Bevel Gear

10

Cam and
Follower

Crank and Slider

Chain Drive

12

Friday

Rack and Pinion

Gear Train

Thursday

13

14

15

Pr o g r a m m i n g I n t r o d u c t i o n

16

17

Terry The Traffic Tamer

21
22

26

Pick and Place

27

18

23

28

19

20

Robot Car Road Trip

24
25

Freight Elevator Challenge

29
30

Your Turn To be The Designer and Programmer

Youre an Expert!!
VEX Robotics Page 3

Unit Overview
A robot is a programmable
mechanical device
that can perform tasks
and interact with its
environment, without the
aid of human interaction.
Robotics is the science
and technology behind the
design, manufacturing and
application of robots.

Basic
Components of
a Robot
The components of a
robot are the body/
frame, control system,
manipulators, and
drivetrain.

typically designed more for

function than appearance.
Control System: The
control system of a robot
is equivalent to the central
nervous system of a human.
It coordinates and controls
all aspects of the robot.
Sensors provide feedback
based on the robots
surroundings, which is
then sent to the Central
Processing Unit (CPU). The
CPU filters this information
through the robots
programming and makes
decisions based on logic.
The same can be done with
a variety of inputs or human
commands.

Drivetrain: Although some

robots are able to perform
their tasks from one location,
it is often a requirement of
robots that they are able
to move from location
to location. For this task,
they require a drivetrain.
Drivetrains consist of a
powered method of mobility.
Humanoid style robots use
legs, while most other robots
will use some sort of wheeled
solution.

Procedure

Complete the following

assemblies using the VEX
kit provided. You may vary
from the original design
Manipulators: To fulfill their
as long as the finished
purposes, many robots are
product still performs the
Body/frame:
required to interact with
desired outcome. Have your
The body or frame can
their environment, and
teacher initial your checklist
be of any shape and size.
the world around them.
Essentially, the body/frame Sometimes they are required after you complete each
assembly, and then answer
provides the structure of
to move or reorient objects
the questions at the end of
the robot. Most people are from their environments
each of the pages in this
comfortable with human- without direct contact by
booklet. Your answers will be
sized and shaped robots
human operators. Unlike the
submitted to me.
that they have seen in
Body/frame and the Control
movies, but the majority of System, manipulators are
actual robots look nothing not integral to a robot, i.e.
like humans. They are
a robot can exist without a
manipulator.
Page 4 VEX Robotics

Simple Gear Train

Answer each question and submit

Is the speed increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the gear ratio?

Is the flow of power reversible?

Yes
Is the torque increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the relationship between

the input and output shaft?

Click here to e-mail your information.

No

Is the direction of travel reversible?

Yes

No

Reset Form

VEX Robotics Page 5

Bevel Gear

Answer each question and submit

Is the speed increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the gear ratio?

Is the flow of power reversible?

Yes
Is the torque increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the relationship between

the input and output shaft?

Click here to e-mail your information.

Page 6 VEX Robotics

Is the direction of travel reversible?

Yes
Reset Form

No

No

Cam and Follower

Answer each question and submit

Is the speed increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the gear ratio?

Is the flow of power reversible?

Yes
Is the torque increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the relationship between

the input and output shaft?

Click here to e-mail your information.

No

Is the direction of travel reversible?

Yes

No

Reset Form

VEX Robotics Page 7

Crank and Slider

Answer each question and submit

Is the speed increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the gear ratio?

Is the flow of power reversible?

Yes
Is the torque increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the relationship between

the input and output shaft?

Click here to e-mail your information.

Page 8 VEX Robotics

Is the direction of travel reversible?

Yes
Reset Form

No

No

LeadScrew

Answer each question and submit

Is the speed increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the gear ratio?

Is the flow of power reversible?

Yes
Is the torque increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the relationship between

the input and output shaft?

Click here to e-mail your information.

No

Is the direction of travel reversible?

Yes

No

Reset Form

VEX Robotics Page 9

Rack and Pinion

Answer each question and submit

Is the speed increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the gear ratio?

Is the flow of power reversible?

Yes
Is the torque increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the relationship between

the input and output shaft?

Click here to e-mail your information.

Page 10 VEX Robotics

Is the direction of travel reversible?

Yes
Reset Form

No

No

Universal Joint

Answer each question and submit

Is the speed increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the gear ratio?

Is the flow of power reversible?

Yes
Is the torque increased,
decreased or constant?

What is the relationship between

the input and output shaft?

Click here to e-mail your information.

No

Is the direction of travel reversible?

Yes

No

Reset Form

VEX Robotics Page 11

Automated
Systems

Computer programmed
manufacturing systems
have improved efficiency
Computer programs and
and increased output in
sensing devices provide
manufacturing facilities.
feedback to guide tools
Automotive manufacturing
and machines in the
facilities require a much
manufacturing of parts.
higher level of technically
Automated systems can
trained employees because
be used to pick up a
of the use of computer
part, move it to a certain
programmed machinery and
location, wait for a process the need for the employees
to be performed, pick it
to troubleshoot problems as
back up, and deliver it to an they arise.
offloading location. Flexible
manufacturing systems
Upon completion of this
(FMS) and computer
lesson, students will have
integrated manufacturing
a better understanding
systems (CIMS) have many of the necessary
advantages. Among them
components of a flexible
are the following: the use of manufacturing system and
feedback for customization, the programming necessary
lower operating costs,
for communication between
safer working conditions
them.
for operators, alleviation
of tedious tasks for
VEX Testbed
workers, more uniformity
of the product, and
You will use the VEX Testbed
faster production. Often
to learn how to program
during programming,
each of the components.
icons or pictures are
Each component will
used to represent lines of
perform a different task.
programming language.
After learning how to
This is done when it is
program on the VEX Testbed
necessary for the operator
to know the process needed you will be programming on
to make the machine do its your own!!!
assigned task.
Page 12 VEX Robotics

The components are:

Cortex: Is a based
Microcontroller that
coordinates the flow of
information and power on
the robot. All components
must interface to the
Microcontroller.
Bump Switch: The bumper
switch is a pushbutton that
when pressed can cause
the robot to respond as
programmed.
Limit Switch: Switches
send a signal to the
Microcontroller when they
are triggered.
Potentiometer: The
Potentiometer is used to
measure the angular position
of the axle or shaft.
Line Tracker: Program your
robot to follow a black line
over a white surface.
Claw: With the VEX
Robotics Claw Kit, your
robot can easily grab and
manipulate various objects.
Have fun programming!!

VEX Testbed

Write the following program and test!!

1. Turn the motor on for 3 seconds at full power,
then off for 10 seconds. Then back on for 3
seconds at speed, off for 2 seconds and
reverse at speed for 3 seconds.
2. What do you type into the (digitalPort)?
3. Compile and Download the program.
4. Test.

Dont forget to make sure the task main() is

starting the program and that the program
is written inside the curly braces {

}!!

task main()

startMotor(RightMotor, 127);
wait (3);
stopMotor(RightMotor);
wait (10);
startMotor(RightMotor, 63);
wait (3);
stopMotor(RightMotor);
wait (2);
startMotor(RightMotor, -63);
wait (3);
stopMotor(RightMotor);

VEX Robotics Page 13


This page will be turned in after you have completed programming your testbed.
Make sure to get all required signatures.

V E X Te stbe d C he c k l ist
Problem

M.E.

E .E .

C .E .

Questions

Robot Drag Race

Spinning Sign
Traffic Tamer
Toll Booth
Grandmas Chair
Tekrocks Bridge
Road Trip
Stay on course.\
Pick and Place
Elevator Challenge
Descriptions of responsibilities
Team members will rotate each of these responsibilities!!
Mechanical Engineer:Responsible for building and sketching the model.
Electrical Engineer: Responsible for completing the schematics and wiring the Cortex.
Computer Engineer: Responsible for completing the computer program and pseudocode.
Questions: EACH member must complete the questions in your Engineering Notebook.

Page 14 VEX Robotics

Teacher